Bounty Land Application for Moses Turner, Jr
Source:
Bounty-Land Warrants for Military Service, 1775–1855, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives), Record Group 15,
Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, application of Moses Turner, #16.789.
Transcription:
THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
BOUNTY LAND FILES
ACT OF 50-160- WT# 17.689
VETERAN Moses Turner,
1836
GRADE Pri
SERVICE Capt. A. Martin
Flo Vols
CAN NO. 369 BUNDLE NO. 151
32665 Oct 28/51
Moses Turner Jr pri
Capt. A. Martin
Col:
En —— 36 dis 36 or 7
Flo: Vol: Flo: War
2nd Ser. Co.,
Capt. Wm. Cone 72 Flo.
Col. Wm. Bailey Vol.
En Nov 40 dis Mar 41
Flo: War
1st service from 16 June to 18 Dec
1837
2nd service from 25th Sept 1840
to 3rd March 1841
2nd A.G.
Feby 18/52 P Clayton
2nd Auditor
Act. 160 acres
May 20/52
endorse [illegible]
J. T. Walker
(Ad:) Present
Warrt No. 17.689 issd
May 28/52
Vol 73 P 91
14.084
12.953
17.689
160-acres-50
No. 328405 - Act Mch 3 - 1853
May 1st 1871.
Ind. War Surv. #1529
Moses Turner
Private
Capt. S. L. Sparkman's Co
Fla Vols
1849
Aug 10, 79 Letter to Atty
see copy in case no. 328,384.
[illegible] 5 - Mar 4 - 75
Lincoln & Willard
Present
Pension Office
May 25 / 71
Served as Private
from July 25 to Oct 23
Old[illegible] [illegible] 1849
C.P.W
Clk.
Claim fil (Mch 7/92
May 25th to Oct 23/49
[illegible] oath by K
Polk Ft. [illegible]
Oct 7/70 S.P.K.
Wm Rushing
Thos Summerall
Declaration for Bounty Land Claim,
Under An Act of Congress passed September 28, 1850.
STATE OF Florida
COUNTY OF Marion
On this 10th day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and
fifty one personally appeared before me A.J. Casaday a
Justice of the Peace a duly authorized within and for the County and State aforesaid
Moses Turner aged 32 years, a resident of Marion
County in the State of Florida who being duly sworn according
to law, declares, that he is the identical Moses Turner who was a
Private in the company commanded by Captain A. Martin in the
Regiment of _______ commanded by _______
in the war with the Seminole Indians in
Florida; and that he volunteered at
Suwannee Springs on or about the ___ day of ___
A.D. 1836 for the term of six months
and continued in actual service in said war for the term of six months
and was honorably discharged at Suwannee Springs
on the ___ day of A.D. 1836 or 1837
as will appear by the Muster Rolls of said company
and that he received a certificate of discharge which has
been lost or destroyed, and that he never has had the
benefit of any Act of Congress granting bounty land.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he
may be entitled under the “Act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the military service of the United States,” passed Sept. 28, 1850.
his
Moses X Turner Junr
mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written: and I hereby cer-
tify that I believe the said Moses Turner
to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is of the age above stated.
A.J Cassady
Justice of the Peace
The Commissioner of Pensions will please forward my warrant to Joseph T
Walker who as my agent will receive the same, and transmit it to me.
Test: his
A.J. Cassady J.P. Moses X Turner Jun.
Mark
STATE of Florida
County of Marion
I Robert Bullock Clerk of the County Court, in and for the county and
State above mentioned, do hereby certify that A. J. Cassady
whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing declaration, is, and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the
Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, that all his official acts as
such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid county court is a court of record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office, at Ocala Florida
this fifteenthth day of September A.D. 1851
Robt Bullock
Clk N. N. Marion Cty
------------------------------------
283
Claim of Moses Turner
TO BOUNTY LAND.
ACT OF 28th SEPT. 1850.
Declaration for Bounty Land Claim,
Under An Act of Congress passed September 28, 1850.
STATE OF Florida
COUNTY OF Marion
On this 10th day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and
fifty one personally appeared before me A.J. Cassaday a
Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid
Moses Turner aged 32 years, a resident of Marion
County in the State of Florida who being duly sworn according
to law, declares, that he is the identical Moses Turner who was a
Private in the company commanded by Captain Wm Cone in the
Regiment of _________ commanded by Col. William
Bailey in the war with the Seminole Indians in
Florida; and that he volunteered at
San Pedro on or about the ___ day of November
A.D. 1840 for the term of three months
and continued in actual service in said war for the term of three months
and was honorably discharged at Ft. Macomb, Florida
on the ___ day of March A.D. 1841
as will appear by the muster rolls of said company
and that he never received a certificate of discharge or
has he received bounty land under any act
of Congress heretofore passed.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he
may be entitled under the “Act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who
have been engaged in the military service of the United States,” passed Sept. 28, 1850.
his
Moses X Turner Jr.
mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written; and I hereby cer-
tify that I believe the said Moses Turner
to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is of the age above stated.
A.J. Cassady
Justice of the Peace
The Commissioner of Pensions will please forward my warrant to Joseph
T. Walker who as my agent will receive the same, and transmit it to me.
his
A.J. Cassady J.P. Moses X Turner Jr.
mark
STATE of Florida
County of Marion
I Robert Bullock Clerk of the County Court, in and for the county and
State above mentioned, do hereby certify that A. J. Cassaday whose genuine
signature appears to the foregoing declaration, is, and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the
Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, that all his official acts as
such are entitled to full faith and credit; and that the aforesaid county court is a court of record, having general jurisdiction.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office, at Ocala Florida
this fifteenthth day of September A.D. 1851
Robt Bullock
Clk Ct.Ct. Marion Cty
------------------------------------------
284
32666 Oct 28/51
Claim of Moses
Turner Junior
TO BOUNTY LAND.
Seminole War
Florida
ACT OF 28th SEPT. 1850.
9 Months Service.
[illegibl;e] Walker
Attorney
Washington D.C.
1893.74
7044
2330
CLAIM OF
A person who has never before had a Land Warrant,
OR MADE A DECLARATION THEREFOR.
State of Florida,
County of Polk } SS.
On this 7th day of October, A.D. 1870, before me, the undersigned, a
Notary Public duly authorized by law to administer oaths within and
for the State aforesaid, personally appeared Moses Turner, aged 44
years, a resident of Fort Fraser, in the County of Polk
and State of Florida, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is
the identical Moses Turner who was a Private in
the company commanded by Captain J. L. Sparkman in the
Independent Co. commanded by S. L.
Sparkman in the War for the suppression of Indian hostilities in the State of
Florida; that he enlisted at Camp Gibson on or about the 25th
day of July, A.D. 1849, for the term of 6 months, and continued in actual
service in said war for the term of fourteen days, and was honorably discharged at Camp
Gibson on the 23rd day of October, A.D. 1849.
He further declares that he was loyal to the United States Government during the late rebellion, and gave
no aid to the enemy.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under
the act approved March 3, 1855. He also declares that he has not received a warrant for Bounty Land under this
or any other act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor.
He hereby appoints LINCOLN & WILLARD, of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful Attorneys, with
power of substitution, to prosecute this his claim for land, to receive the Certificate or Warrant when issued, and to
do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises.
Witness: Moses Turner
.................................................... (Signature of Claimant)
We, Wm Rushing and Thomas Summerall,
residents of Fort Fraser, in the State of Florida, upon
our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Moses
Turner in our presence; and that from our personal knowledge he is the identical
person he represents himself to be, we having served with him in said war; and we have no interest in this claim.
And further know that he was was loyal
during the late rebellion.
Witnesses:
Wm Rushing
Thos Summerall
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day
and year above written; that the contents of the same were read over and explained to them before signing; and I
certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be
and further, that I am not interested in his claim as Attorney or otherwise.
Wm H. Kendrick
Notary Public State
of Florida at Large
{stamp} DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
MAY 1, 1871
I certify that WILLIAM H. KENDRICK, before whom the above declaration and affidavit were made,
is a Notary Public at Large, duly authorized to administer oaths, and that the above is his signature.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal, this 7th day
of Feby 1871
J.C. Gibbs Sec State Fla
By [illegible] Briggs Asst Sec State
----------------------------------------------------
CLAIM OF A PERSON WHO HAS
NEVER BEFORE HAD A
LAND WARRANT,
OR MADE A DECLARATION THEREFOR.
CLAIM OF
Moses Turner
FILED BY
LINCOLN & WILLARD,
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Oct. 7/70 Polk
[illegible]
Of Note:
First Term of Service
The first term of service given by the applicant, Moses Turner, Jr., is supplied as follows:
Rank: Private
Company: commanded by Captain A. Martin
Regiment: unknown
Engagement: war with the Seminole Indians in Florida
Place volunteered: Suwannee Springs
When volunteered: about 1836 for the term of six months
Actual service: six months
Where discharged: Suwannee Springs
When discharged: 1836 or 1837
First term of service as confirmed by First and Second Auditors within this record:
“1st service from 16 June to 18 Dec 1837”
Researcher’s note: This level of detail from an Auditor is the smallest this researcher has ever encountered in a Bounty Land or Pension Application file.
The original muster roll is not extant online and if it exists in the Florida State Archive or NARA, it is deemed too fragile to be viewed by researchers.
“Florida Militia Muster Rolls, 1826-1900,” database with images, FloridaMemory (https://www.floridamemory.com/discover/historical_records/muster_rolls/ : accessed: 17 September 2025), NIL for search terms: “Alexander Martin”, “Alex Martin”, and “Alx Martin”; Florida, Office of the Adjutant General, “Original Florida territorial muster rolls, 1826-1849,” S 1277, arranged alphabetical by company name, then chronological, Florida State Archives, Tallahassee, Florida.
Two derivative muster rolls have been located and attached to this profile.
The first muster rolls states:
“Muster Roll of Capt Alx. Martin's Mounted Company (Clinch Huzzards) of
the Second Regt. E.F. Volunteers 2nd Brigade, Florida Militia,
commanded by Col William J. Mills, entered into the service of the
United States, on the requisition of Maj General Tho S. Jesup, to
serve six months unless sooner discharged, under the Act of Congress of
the 23 May 1836, entitled, "An Act authorizing the President of the
United States to accept the services of volunteers and to raise an
additional Regiment of Dragoon or Mounted Riflemen."
I certify, on honor, that this Muster Roll exhibits the true state of
Capt. Alex. Martin's Company of the 2nd Regt of East Florida
Volunteers, and that the remarks set opposite each Officer and Private
are accurate and just. Signed by:
Alex Martin Capt.
I certify, on honor, that I have carefully examined this Muster Roll,
and that I have this 26th day of Sept 1837 mustered and inspected the
above named Company of the 2nd Regt of Fla. Volunteers. Wm Wall Lt 3rd”
Note that the muster-in date is not given on this muster roll. This muster was taken on the inspection date of September 26, 1837 by 3rd Lieutenant William Wall and represents the date that these volunteers were recognized as Federal soldiers who receive payment and food from the Federal Government.
The second muster roll states:
“Muster Roll of Capt Alexander Martin's Company of the 2nd Regiment 2nd Brigade of East Florida Mounted Volunteers commanded by Col W.J. Mills, ordered into the service of the United States by Maj Gen Thomas S. Jesup under the Act of Congress approved May 28, 1836 from the 16th day of June to the 18th day December 1837 when discharged.
Remarks: Company mustered into service by Lieut W. Wall 3d Art Sept 20
S. Churchill
I certify, on honor, that this Muster Roll exhibits the true state of Capt Alex Martin's Company of the 2nd Regiment Fla. Mounted Volunteers for the period herein mentioned; that the remarks set opposite the name of each officer and soldier are accurate and just, and that the recapitulation exhibits, in every particular, the true state of the Company.
Signed by:
Alex. Martin, Capt Commanding the Company
Date: Dec 18, 1837
Station: Fort Gilleland”
Moses Turner, Jr states that he mustered in at Suwannee Springs. In 1837 in the Territory of Florida, Suwannee Springs referred to the natural sulfur springs located near the Suwannee River, northeast of what is now Live Oak, in the area that later became Suwannee County. In 1837, this would have been Columbia County, Territory of Florida.
But the muster rolls state that the Company was mustered in at “Pine Grove.” Pine Grove in 1837 was an early settlement located in what became Suwannee County, Florida, known as part of East Florida at the time. It served as a base for local militia service during the Second Seminole War. The specific location identified in later records places Pine Grove near the area eventually organized as Suwannee County but then considered part of East Florida territory, likely in the vicinity of present-day Live Oak or its surrounding rural districts. So, even though two different names were used, the same general area was being referenced and this information correlates.
Moses Turner notes in his affidavit that he also mustered out at Suwannee Springs, however the muster-out roll states that the company was mustered out on December 18, 1837, at Fort Gilleland, which was a U.S. Army post established during the Second Seminole War, located at Newnansville in Alachua County, Territory of Florida.
Moses Turner’s affidavit has many inaccuracies, however enough of the information can be correlated with other documents, made at the time of the events, to confirm his service as stated is verifiable. His inaccuracies can be explained by the fact that he is trying to recount events that took place fourteen years earlier. More importantly, the Federal Government believed his claims and awarded him Bounty Land for this service (see the Land Case Entry file also attached to this profile).
Second Term of Service
The second term of service given by the applicant, Moses Turner, Jr., is supplied as follows:
Rank: Corporal
Company: commanded by Captain Wm Cone
Regiment: unknown
Regiment commanded by: Col. William Bailey
Engagement: war with the Seminole Indians in Florida
Place volunteered: San Pedro
When volunteered: about November 1840 for the term of three months
Actual service: three months
Where discharged: Ft. Macomb
When discharged: about March 1841
Second term of service as confirmed by First and Second Auditors within this record:
“2nd service from 25th Sept 1840 to 3rd March 1841”
Researcher’s note: This level of detail from an Auditor is the smallest this researcher has ever encountered in a Bounty Land or Pension Application file.
The details listed on his affidavit match up with the information on the muster rolls with little to no discrepancies. Other than noting that he mustered in sometime during November 1840 when his actual muster in date was in September. However, close review of the correspondence attached to the muster rolls reveals that federal service was given to the troops starting on November 30th and had not been verified before that date:
“The time of Territorial service from Sept. 20 to the date of muster into
United States service, Nov. 23, is not included for the balances of Subsis-
tence and forage shewn on this roll the balances for that time (prior to
Nov. 23) are yet to be ascertained, and authenticated[sic] by certificate or oath,
at the payment for that portion of service.
WM. CONE, Capt.
S. CHURCHILL, Maj. 3d. Arty.”
Moses Turner was given a Bounty Land Warrant for 160 acres for his service during the Second Seminole War.
n additional application for Bounty Land was made in 1870 for service in Captain Sparkman’s company after some one-off Seminole hostilities in 1849 in the name of Moses Turner. This application is provably falsified. First, the service in S. L. Sparkman’s Company in 1849 is attributable to Moses Turner Jr.’s father, who was living in Hillsborough County at the time. Moses Turner Jr. was living in Marion County in 1849. Additionally, the claim for Bounty Land could not have been made by Moses Turner Jr., because the application was signed “Moses Turner,” and Moses Turner Jr. was illiterate and signed with a mark. Moses Turner Sr. could sign his name, but he had passed away by 1853. The Bounty Land for this falsified service was never awarded.
Conclusion:
The evidence shows that Moses Turner, Jr. rightfully received a Bounty Land Warrant for 160 acres for his service during the Second Seminole War. His two terms of service were well-documented: the first as a private under Capt. Alexander Martin (serving from June to December 1837), and the second as a corporal under Capt. William Cone (serving from September 1840 to March 1841). Despite some minor inconsistencies in the details provided by Turner in his affidavit, such as locations and muster dates, these discrepancies are very reasonable given the passage of over a decade between his service and his application. Most importantly, his claims are corroborated by contemporary muster rolls and the thorough review undertaken by federal auditors, who validated his periods of service.
Additionally, the attempt to claim further bounty land for alleged service in 1849 under Capt. Sparkman can be definitively dismissed as fraudulent. The claim is provably tied to Moses Turner, Sr., based on residence records and handwriting evidence, and not to Moses Turner, Jr., who was both living elsewhere and could not sign his name at the time. The government ultimately refused to award bounty land for this fabricated service.